'All this is for him': Sam Bailey dedicates her triumphant X Factor win to her beloved late father

Winning the 2013 series of the X Factor was always going to be an emotional experience - for any contestant.

But, for prison warden Sam Bailey, it was particularly overwhelming as she believed her late father was helping her through the prime-time ITV talent contest.

Speaking to The Mirror, the 36 year-old said that her deceased dad, Ronnie - who died of cancer in 2008 - was spiritually guiding her to success.

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In shock: Sam could not believe it when Dermot announced the winner

Life-changing: Sam has now won a million pound record deal and will be joining Beyonce on her Mrs Carter tour next year

Clearly emotional, the mum-of-two said: 'I believe my dad is helping
me out and looking over me. I don’t think I would have got this far
without him. All this is for him.

'I can’t believe this, it is a
dream come true. One of my biggest worries was people would get
complacent and not vote but I did it.'

Crowded with love: The former contestants looked genuinely happy to see Sam be crowned the winner of The X Factor 2013

That must be distracting: Sam still sung till the end of the song despite the finalists grabbing her

Singing her winner's song, Skyscraper
by Demi Lovato, in a floor length black sequin dress, she reduced
Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne to tears with her emotional
performance and attracting over 1 million votes.

After
months of hard work, Sam has earned her one million pound recording
deal and a place on Beyonce's Mrs Carter tour next year.

X Factor judge Gary Barlow, who looked like he shed a tear said: 'You've stolen the hearts of the nation. You've done this on behalf of people whose dreams have stayed dreams.'

Lady in red: Showcasing her incredible two-stone weight-loss during her time on the show, Sam looked every inch the Hollywood screen siren in the dazzling semi-sheer gown as she took to the stage for her first performance of the evening

A good sport: Nicholas said that he was okay because he could not have lost out to a better person

Belting out the ballad: Sam Bailey earned her title as X Factor champ with solid performances week after week

A
extremely teary Nicole added: 'You got me looking like a hot mess, the
first time I saw you you brought tears to my eyes, and you've done it
again with your last performance.

'That voice is a gift from God and you are the voice. Timing is everything and this is your time right now.'

Louis said: 'You deserve to be on that stage, that's going to be number one record - stop crying.'

But, despite her emotional joy, Sam still had time to credit competitor Nicholas McDonald. She said: 'He’s like my baby boy and I would do anything for that lad. I
would have been more than happy to lose to him because I have nothing
but love for him.'